Mozo guides

Third-party fire and theft car insurance

A car thief's hand reaches tentatively through a broken, drivers-side window

While traditional third-party property car insurance (TPP) can cover out-of-pocket costs if you damage somebody else’s car or property while driving, it won’t cover damage caused by fires or the theft of your vehicle. 

However, third-party fire and theft car insurance (TPPFT) can give you the added confidence of knowing that if your car is damaged or lost due to fire or theft, you could recover some of the costs.

Let’s take a deeper look at the type of car insurance that sits somewhere in the middle of third-party property and comprehensive car insurance

What is third-party fire and theft car insurance?

Third-party property with fire and theft insurance (TPPFT) is essentially an optional extra you can tack on to your TPP car insurance. 

It will likely increase your car insurance premium, but the added coverage could prove to be worth it.

Third-party fire and theft car insurance may cover:

  • Your car if it’s damaged by fire 
  • Your car if it’s lost to fire
  • Your car if it’s stolen 
  • Your car if it’s damaged in an attempted theft
  • Plus, all the things the TPP car insurance policy covers.

Who is fire and theft car insurance for?

Third-party fire and theft car insurance protects the policyholder’s vehicle. It might be a good option for you if you want the added coverage it provides on top of your TPP policy, and/or if you don’t want to pay for a comprehensive car insurance policy and its features.

Choosing a fire and theft insurance policy

  • Agreed or market value? When you get TPP quotes, check if the maximum value of your vehicle that they will pay you is accurate. If it's a market value policy, but you aren't happy with their calculation, consider shopping around for a policy that offers an agreed value option.
  • Compare fire and theft car insurance. Don't just take the first deal you get. Unless it's amazing, of course. But how will you know if you don't see what the competition is offering?
  • Weigh-up if a comprehensive policy suits your needs. Just because you might be able to save a bit of cash by not splashing out for a comprehensive policy, consider the other benefits you might get if you do opt for more coverage. 

Fire and theft vs comprehensive car insurance

Use the following table to get a rough idea of what some of the main differences in coverage are between typical TPPFT and comprehensive car insurance policies. 

While not every policy is the same, you can certainly check what’s covered and what’s not covered in the provider’s policy disclosure statement (PDS), including any general exclusions that might void your claim. 

Third-party property fire and theft (TPPFT)
Comprehensive car insurance 
Theft (loss & damage)


Fire (loss & damage)


Damage to other drivers’ vehicle or property 


Damage to your car for not-at-fault accidents


Damage to your car for accidents you cause 


Hire car after theft 


Hire car after accident 


Damage caused by floods, storms, or hail


New car replacement after a write-off 


Towing 


Emergency repairs 


Emergency accommodation & travel costs 


Optional extras (e.g. windscreen replacement, roadside assistance, etc.) 


Essentially, you’re getting third-party property car insurance with a couple of useful extras, and excluding all the bells and whistles you might get with a comprehensive car insurance policy. 

That being said, make sure to consider the extras you might get with a comprehensive policy, like help with repair costs if you scrape the side of your car while pulling out of the driveway, or new car replacement if you can’t afford to buy a new one after a write-off accident. 

While you might save money with a TPPFT policy, a comprehensive car insurance policy might help you out where the former falls short. 

Check out some of the featured comprehensive car insurance policies below, or check out the best car insurance in Australia to get acquainted with policies the Mozo experts believe are worth highlighting.

Compare comprehensive car insurance policies - rates updated daily

Search promoted car insurance below. Advertiser disclosure. Important information on terms, conditions and sub-limits.
  • Gold Comprehensive Car Insurance

    Monthly premiums
    Calendar icon
    Yes Costs Extra
    Choice of repairer
    tools icon
    Optional Extra
    Choice of excess
    coins icon
    $550 - $1,900 (varies By State)
    Agreed or market value
    Car coin icon
    Agreed Or Market

    Available discounts

    • No Claim Discount
    • Online Discount Up To 15%
    Details
  • Comprehensive Car Insurance

    Monthly premiums
    Calendar icon
    Yes Costs Extra
    Choice of repairer
    tools icon
    Optional Extra
    Choice of excess
    coins icon
    $300 - $2,550
    Agreed or market value
    Car coin icon
    Agreed Or Market

    Available discounts

    • Online Discount $75
    Details
  • Comprehensive Car Insurance

    Monthly premiums
    Calendar icon
    Yes Costs Extra
    Choice of repairer
    tools icon
    Optional Extra
    Choice of excess
    coins icon
    $400 - $2,500
    Agreed or market value
    Car coin icon
    Agreed Or Market

    Available discounts

    • Comprehensive Car Insurance

      Monthly premiums
      Calendar icon
      Yes Costs Extra
      Choice of repairer
      tools icon
      Optional Extra
      Choice of excess
      coins icon
      $500 - $2,200
      Agreed or market value
      Car coin icon
      Agreed Or Market

      Available discounts

      • Online Discount $75
      Details
    • Comprehensive Car Insurance

      Monthly premiums
      Calendar icon
      Yes
      Choice of repairer
      tools icon
      No
      Choice of excess
      coins icon
      $800 Flat Excess Fee
      Agreed or market value
      Car coin icon
      Agreed

      Available discounts

        Details

      Don’ts

      Buy the first fire and theft car insurance you see

      Although it may be tempting to go ahead and purchase the first sparkly car insurance policy you read about, it will give you very little in return. It's always worth looking around first to see if there's a better value option out there, or if you can negotiate on price using other quotes.

      Try Mozo's car insurance comparison tool to see if you can get the cover for all the things you expect in your car insurance at the right price. It only takes a couple of minutes and saves you potentially hours searching online or calling around.

      Rely on online comparisons alone

      It’s wonderful that we can rely on online comparisons and info as we do our general day to day research for products and services. But we probably shouldn’t solely rely on what we find online.

      There could be new products not yet listed on insurance providers websites that could suit your personal situation better, or features and products that you’re unaware of with existing ones that you need clarification on. So it pays to set some time aside and give your insurance company a call. You never know what you could be missing out on.

      Still not sure which direction to take? 

      Sometimes reading about other people’s experiences when it comes to purchasing fire and theft car insurance is the best way to settle on the right product. So check out Mozo's great customer review section on car insurance

      Jack Dona
      Jack Dona
      RG146
      Money writer

      Jack is RG146 Generic Knowledge certified, with a Bachelor of Communications in Creative Writing from UTS, and uses his creative flair to cut through the financial jargon and make home loans, insurance and banking interesting. His reader-first approach to creating content and his passion for financial literacy means he always looks for innovative ways to explain personal finance. Jack's research and explanations have been featured in government publications, and his work is regularly featured alongside major publications in Google's Top Stories for Insurance.

      * Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.

      ^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Car Insurance Awards